New Siren System for Penn
Coverage of the new Penn SOS System
A few weeks ago, the Division of Public Safety staged a public launch of the Penn Siren Outdoor System (appropriately titled Penn SOS). This means that in the case of a major emergency, DPS has the option of adding a community-wide siren and public address alert to the existing email/text/phone alert system.
The system will be tested both over the summer (August 18th to August 20) and then once a month on Friday at 11am until the system works fully. All tests will use Westminster Chimes. In an emergency you will hear a fifteen (15) second siren followed by a voice intelligible message instructing you on what to do. This will repeat three (3) times. When the crisis has passed, the system will emit a series of beeps followed by a voice saying it is “All Clear”.
The UA and GAPSA worked with DPS to ensure that this important new system would be tested appropriately, communicated to everyone on campus including new freshmen, and did not interfere with major worship services; we’re confident that the new system will be well tested and add significantly to the safety of students in an emergency. But don’t think that the siren gives you an excuse to not put your phone into UPennAlert – if you haven’t added your emergency contact details, you are a silly person! Do so right now!
Check out more details and an FAQ below the jump.
